Artwork
fisherman with his rod
fisherman with his rod is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Francisco Goya. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
Francisco Goya painted *Fisherman with his Rod* in 1775, employing oil on canvas. The work portrays a solitary fisherman standing on a riverbank, his figure rendered with clear definition against a softly diffused landscape of trees and sky. The painting is part of the Museo del Prado’s collection in Madrid.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a man in a blue jacket and black hat, holding a fishing rod in his right hand while his left rests on a rock. He gazes downward at the water, his demeanor calm and contemplative, evoking a quiet moment of everyday labor and the timeless relationship between human and nature.
Technique & Style
Goya applies gentle brushwork and a muted palette to create a tranquil atmosphere. Light and shadow model the fisherman’s form, while the background recedes in a hazy, atmospheric wash, a subtle use of chiaroscuro that gives depth without disrupting the overall softness of the scene.
History & Provenance
Created early in Goya’s career, the painting reflects the Rococo sensibility prevalent in mid‑18th‑century Spain. It entered the holdings of the Museo del Prado, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s representation of Goya’s formative works.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; Spanish: ; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker.
